POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded on 3/13 (also hernia repair). I tried to drink my Protein on 3/14 and it made me feel really bad and I had a lot of shoulder pain. I didn't drink any Protein drinks yesterday thinking maybe the milk was bothering me. I also didn't take the prescription pain meds to eliminate that also. This morning I got up and had absolutely no shoulder pain. Felt pretty good actually except for soreness. I made a cup of Protein Drink with Water instead of milk and now again I am in agony. I took about 30 minutes to drink it (it was very thin). What am I doing wrong? I'm so afraid I'm going to run myself down since I have absolutely no desire to eat or drink and…

Hi: I've been banded since July, have recently been having a bit of gurgling going on and have pb'd more than usual. It's been about two months since last fill and gurgling just started this week. Have lost about 20 pounds since last fill, so band shouldn't be getting tighter. Is gurgling a sign of being too tight? What's up with this gurgling thing? Anybody else? Sue

I found a way to remove them without scrubbing my skin off!! New Skin liquid bandage. Just dip a Qtip in some and rub it on the marks and they dissolve right off. Then just clean with soap & water. Magic.

I am 18 days post op and I have only lost 3 pounds since the surgery. Pre op I lost 25 pounds in 2 months. I am so hungry and sticking to the diet. Today I had my first pureed meat, 1/4 cup chicken. I am hoping that this will help with the hunger pains in my belly. Can any one recommend how to not be hungry and how to drop more weight. I get on this site and everyone seems to have dropped so much weight at this stage except for me. HELP!:biggrin:

I know this time is for recovery...but just wondering if others gained/lost weight? My post-op has been full of ups/downs as far as my weight. 3/4 (surgery): 227 3/5: 226.8 3/6: 230 3/7: 227.2 3/8: 224.4 My upper stomach (yes, it looks like I have 2 stomachs) looks like it is full of liquid...it's all watery and jiggly (and not fat-jiggy...a different kind of jiggly). I feel like the blueberry girl on Willie Wonka who needs to be drained. Please let me know your stories! Lise

hi everyone. i got banded this morning (woo hoo). and well everything went cool. surgery was at 9 and i was released by 2pm. i was just very swollen i guess from all the gas. i came home, rested, walked, rested walked. and after i slept for 2 hours i woke up and A LOT of the swelling has gone down, i dont think i even feel anymore gas pains. except i got this very sore shooting pain on my right side upper stomach area, its kinda diagonal inbetween my breast and my belly button. i thought they told me they were going to put the port in the middle right below my breasts, but i have no pain there. could this be my port on the right side? its very sore, and seems that the s…

Has anyone else shared this experience? My surgery was on 3/5. From that day until my post-op appointment on 3/10 I was on clear liquids only. Until my next appointment on 3/24 I am only to drink 3 EAS shakes per day. That is only 330 calories a day. I'm feeling almost back to normal and am pretty sure I have physical hunger AND head hunger. I think I really need some encouragement.

Hi, I am new to the chat room. I was banded on 11/19/07 and have lost 45 lbs so far. I have had 2 fills so far and am having some difficulty recently. It seems for the past 4 days no matter what I eat, it is not staying down. I am hoping it is a temporary issue and possibly just a phase. Has anyone else had this isue? HELP!

Hi. I'm seriously thinking about pursuing the lap band. I'd like to get some feedback on how you'd describe your recovery. How long did it take? How much time did you take off work? Was your recovery painful? In hindsight, would you make the same decision all over again. Thanks so much for any feedback you can provide.

Hi I had my band removed and replaced again last thursday, has been one week and I am sick of my stomach. Can't even smell food. Suck on ice helps a little. Anyone had that? I called the dr million times, he keep saying that needs time to heal. i am so scared of band after I had to remove the other one only 2 months after, that i like to know if it is ok.

Im about a week 1/2 post op and recovering quite nicely. Alittle sore but this morning I woke up with very sharp port pains. I am a little concerneced because this is the first time I have had this pain. Any thoughts???

Yesterday was my one month anniversary. So far this whole thing has been a huge success. The surgery was easy, I survived the two week liquid stage (this was by far the hardest part for me!) and the mushies stage was absolutely painless, in fact the mushies stage was enjoyable, there's lots of good mushies foods to eat. I started out at about 260 pounds, I got on the scale yesterday and I'm at 235 pounds. 25 pounds in 30 days, I would not have thought it possible but I'm thrilled this is working so good so far and how easy this whole thing has been. I've not had a glass of wine since before the surgery so last night I celebrated my first months weight loss with …

Hi everyone, i was banded on March 6, 2008 and though the first few days were the worst of my life, I feel much better and am actually going to work and life has returned to normal (almost). I am still on liquids for another week and then mushies for two weeks. I am finally sleeping semi-normal, the main problem is that my lower back on both sides are killing me. It's a sharp pain that won't go away for most of the day. When i told my doctor a few days ago on our first visit, he said i should keep moving around...I am...but still in pain. Has this happened to anyone else? any sugesstions on what to do? thank you

It's been 10 days since my surgery. I'm supposed to be on mushies but I can still eat like a moose! I know some say you won't feel any restrictions until a fill but good golly.... I have NO restrictions. I've been eating everything in site. It's like I never had the surgery. This is not good. I lost 5 pounds my first week but I bet I gained it back the last two days. Has anyone gone thru the same thing???? :thumbup:

I'm wondering how many surgeons went ahead and scheduled your surgery before even submitting the paperwork to insurance? Just curious, because I am going to ask for this. We are moving to Hawaii in April, and I don't want to lose my chance because it gets pushed back for some reason. My insurance has a pretty quick turn-around for approvals...about 3 days...so I'm not concerned with that part of it. Just curious if it's done.

New to this forum, so hi to everyone and thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Had surgery 3/3/08 and everything went really well. But in the past few days I've been having the worst stomach pains, feels like gas and bloating. Most of the time it even hurts to breath. Also, I've been running a fever, not all the time but sure can feel it when it breaks and I'm sweating all over the place. Lower abdomen hurts to touch it, and have been taking colace the past day & half. I just hope all this passes because I don't want to freak out and call the doctor since he's over a hundred miles away! Please help!!!

Anyone else have this? I have a pain on my left side, below the port incision. It's pretty constant. Is it soreness from the port site? I'm two weeks p/o Thanks

Hi: Has anybody had their gall bladder removed recently? I just found out that I have gall stones and doctor said it's gotta go. If you've had gall bladder removed after your band, please tell me what it's like. Does it effect your band? Is it as easy as band surgery? I had big issues with nausea after band surgery first 12 hours. Did you have nausea issues after gall bladder removal? Thanks. Sue

I was banded 2 days ago an last night this gas pain was right on my stomach to my throat I then would get the chills and start burping small amounts of gas with some clear flem. When I would lay down the gass bubble would start moving up my throat again. What works best

I had lapband surgery 3 weeks ago on Feb. 20. I have three questions! 1. Sometimes, mostly when I am sitting down, I feel like the port apparatus (I assume that is what I am feeling) is kind of pushing up into my ribcage, and it is uncomfortable. normal? does this go away? the muscles around the port are really sore still too. 2. did anyone happen to ask their doctor how soon they could start spinning (group cycle)? I asked my surgeon the day of my surgery, and he said "in two weeks" The materials I was given say no abdominal work for six weeks, but that I could go swimming in two weeks. spinning includes quite a bit of ab strength. I know wonder whether he thought I…

Hi, I've been reading about post-op diet issues (depression, switching from clear liquids to liquids & mussies, etc). My question is, if I'm going to have the surgery with Dr. Rodriguez in Mexico, who or how will my post-op diet be monitored? I have a primary care doctor, but she's not a specialist in this area. What if I get so I can't handle the all clear liquid and need to do something else? I know that I am willing to do the work, but I'm concerned about being depressed, low energy, hungry all the time, etc. Thanks :drool:

Ok....I feel kind of dumb asking this...but I know what a fill is - so what does restriction mean? Thanks in advance! Lise (Lise The Loser’s Weblog)

How long have you had pain at the port site? Is it normal? Does it take longer to heal? Thanks for any comments

I'm new around here, banded 3/5/08 so I am one week post-op today & still in some serious pain. The gas pain is working out pretty good...but the two bottom incisions I have are extremely painful! I am waiting on a call back from my doctor's office but thought I would check here too. It literally feels warm to the touch--like a sunburn and then I have this intense burning feeling whenever I move--sit-up, sit-down, walk, etc. It is nothing like I've every felt before. Is this the normal healing process? My bandages are still intact. This burning feeling also kind of feels like I'm ripping from the inside out but I'm afraid to pull the bandages off to take a look…

I've been 'banded' for 18 months now...I've lost 95lbs and I have never been happier in my life. Since my banding, everything else in my life has come together...I'm working in my dream job, have confidence in myself, look and feel fantastic, the list goes on...but find myself missing things from the past. I hate pretending I have 'stomach problems' when people offer me a beer and I can't have it. I miss eating meat, spinach salads and all the other foods I gave up after my 3rd fill because digesting them became too hard...I miss not having to worry every time I eat a meal that I may throw up or get a stomach ache...again, the list goes on. I'd never regret being ba…

Hi, I was banded 2/27/08 and feel much better (two weeks later). I have some pain at the port site incision and a little below it. Is this normal?

Hi, I was wondering if you guys are still on pain meds? Also, what are you guys drinking and how much. Are you all hungry yet? Do you have bandages over your incisions? When are you guys allowed to shower? How do you guys sleep? Do you know when we can sleep on our side? TIA I look forward to reading your experiences thus far.

I've been lurking on the boards for about a month now and finally decided I had a very important to ask all of you experienced bandits.. I had my realize band put in 2/4/08. Best decision I ever made in my life -- no regrets whatsoever. Now, I'm beginning to feel as if I don't have as much restriction as I hoped for. I've been on regular food for 2 weeks and I know I could more than the allotted 3-4 oz. but I choose not to. I've lost anywhere between 19-23 pounds thus far which I know is incredible but I haven't lost any of it since I went to solids. I was under the assumption that fills could happen at any time post-op as I've seen so many of your posts and noted th…

Trying to get a general idea of how many days I will be in the house recovering. So I am wonderng how long it took you until you ventured out of the house post-op. Of course my surgery is the first priority but I am a busy gal and I hope to get back into a normal routine asap. I'm hoping my age is on my side on this one!

I am having my band in on the March 18th and have a trip to Hawaii planned for the 9th of May. Does anyone know if the plane trip will be ok? I tried to ask my surgeon but he is really hard to get a hold of.

Several post talk of vomiting and pb...and I have to finally plead ignorance to what pb stands for. Anyone wanna help me?:tongue:

I was banded in September, 2007. I have had great success but I have also been sick quite often this year. I was just wondering if anyone else seems to have had any of this. I know there is a lot out there, my family has all had something or another for months. BUT , I usually do not get this much. I have had colds, worse allergies and just sick all the time. Mostly cold type things. I was wondering if this maybe due to some vitamins or something I amnot getting enough of. Just had this thought today and figured I may need to have the Dr do some blood work. Any thoughts? Thanks Peg:confused::smile::confused::wink:

Banded five days ago and am still hungry? Could I need an ajdustment already or does this pass? I've only been taking in about a cup and a half of mushie food per day. Will I feel better after I move on to more solid food? I also asked doctor about adjustment. He said everyone is different. Can't give me a time when I'll need my first adjustment. I was banded 2/27. Thanx all

Having surgery 3-14 and want to know about liquids after surgery. Do I need to just sip, or can I just "take a drink"?

I had my lapband fitted 13 months ago and to date I have lost about 40 pounds. It is a 14ml band and I now have 9.75ml of Fluid in it. I have good restriction....which has taken a long time to get to. Over the last few days I am experiencing an acid like burning sensation (pain is too strong a word). Any ideas what this is??? Ali:mellow:

I had lap band surgery and my gallbladder taken out at the same time. I am not sure if the two are causing me these issues but I don't know what to do. I went in weighing 235 and this morning I weighed 222. From what it seems that is too much weight too fast but I am having a problem on the liquids. I can't take drinking the sweet stuff anymore, between the sugar free pudding and protein powder I have had it. I am trying to drink some chicken broth right now but it is making me feel light headed and hot (may not be the broth)?? I definitely don't think I am getting in enough protein or fluid... but when i drink i get a sharp pain in my chest. The doctors office told…

I am so sick of mushies and liquids! The fat girl inside me is screaming to eat some real food! It is so hard for me to be patient. I want my fills fast, my stomach restricted and to be able to get on to eating what I want. I sound like a 2 yr old throwing a temper tantrum but I am so hungry. How many fills till this is all worth it? Please give me some advice all you veteran banders. I was banded on 2/28, just 11 days ago

I have my surgery date set for tomorrow (March 11th). I am getting very nervous that I will not be able to enjoy certain foods eventually again. I am wanting to enjoy all foods just in smaller portions. I no this is a tool to help control food intake but am nervous to give up (pizza, bread, steak, roast) ect. I know some of these foods have also been the cause of my weight gain, but would still like to enjoy a slice of pizza once in a while, or a small steak, ect. Just wondering if other people have went through this or are going through this same phase. I sometimes feel I am to young (28) to have to give up some of the good foods for life. (I also posted in the pre-band…

I have been reading a lot about gas after the lap-band. I am not a typically gassy person right now and I am wondering how bad the gas will be? Do you just have gas right after surgery or will I have a lot of gas all of time after being banded? Have you had gas issues out in public after banding? Just curious....:blushing:

This morning my cat made a noise that startled me and I sat up really fast. I had been laying on my left side and after I did that I had this really horrible burning sensation in my chest that went away and is now sore.. and now my port incision is super sore. I hope I just pulled a muscle and didn't pull a stitch or flip the port.. does anyone know if it's even possible to do that just but sitting up real fast like that? I'm in a lot of pain now and am worried. :-(

Sorry for sounding like an idiot but what the heck is PB???:blushing:

Hey guys I think I messed up last night:scared2: I had some mash potatoes shreed chicken breast and some smash flat greens:biggrin2:. I don't think I was suppose to eat that this early. I had my op on 2/29/08 my wife seems to think I should be on puree foods right now and it should have been fine. :confused2:But I feel like I have some thing stuck in my throat and my chest was hurting a little bit. Well today I called the doctor for a follow up and they said I still should be on liquids. Can someone help what do I do? Do you think I messed up my Band? Does the feeling of having some thing stuck in your throat stay there? Thanks would love to hear what u have to say.

I am getting my things together to go get banded.:sad: :smile2: What should I have with me? I am getting operated on a Tuesday and am not flying home til Friday. I am looking for the voices of experience here. Thank You!!

I was banded on 2/27 and am still on the liquid stage and it's been really getting to me. My doc's orders are a bit more stringent than many others I see in here and his were just water for the five days after surgery and then protein shakes and ice pops for 2 weeks. I still have a week to go on the liquids and it's getting harder and harder not to give in and eat something mushy. I feel great physically and have been on the treadmill for 35 minutes the last two days. Along with pre-op wieght lose and since the surgery I have lost over 40 lbs. which is incredible. I lost 9 pounds in the five days after the surgery which really surprised me. I want to follow my doctors or…

i had my second fill on feb 26 and somedays i have good restriction and feel full quicker than other days i can eat all day. my problem is that i havent been keeping track of my calories and im not eating enough protein, ive been cheating on bad things here and there. i am trying to get back on track but i cant seem to get through the day lately without cheating. i did so well for the first 3 months, now ive lost it. i havent lost in 3 weeks and only lost a few pounds before that. how can i start losing weight again? i noticed that when i counted my calories it helped me stay in check and i ate around 1000-1250 and lost along with exercise. what about protein. if i dont g…

Hi everyone! I just had my first fill today. I wasn't nervous but it did hurt more than I expected. The numbing medicine they injected before they did the fill was painful as it burned. After that, it was just a little uncomfortable pressure as the doctor was trying to find the exact spot to inject. Not too bad overall. I was told I didn't have to do liquids but too be very careful about what I ate and eat no more than 2/3 at each meal. I am allowed to drink right up until I eat then I have to wait 45 minutes before I can drink again. I am going to be super careful about what I eat and how I chew since I don't want to get stuck. I am happy that I have lost 16 lbs…

I need some answers here.... I'm sooo confused I am 18 days post op - it the mushy/soft food stage - during my first two weeks (one of which was literally laying on the couch) I lost 9 lbs on Protein shakes and cottage cheese - But for the past few days the scales haven't seemed to move (except UP a few ounces).... What's up with this? I have been recording my food intake and all of that - am staying between 600-800 calories, no sugar, very little carbs. Shouldn't my weight loss at this point be a little more??? or am I asking too much. I've not had a fill as of yet so I'm hungrier than I thought I would be. Getting frustrated - anyone else had this experie…

Hi all!! I am only 3 weeks post op but I keep hearing about people losing their hair and that is kind of scarry....My surgeon told me that the hair loss is from the surgery and stress on the body and not from the diet. (as long as you get enough protein) Does anyone know this? When would someone start losing their hair? Also what is biotin and where do you get it??:confused2:

I thought it might be nice to talk about what we have eaten today, to give each other ideas for meals! I am on the mushy stage. Today (so far) I have had: 1 banana 3/4 cup scalloped potatoes cooked really well and soft 1 and 1/2 cup cream of mushroom Soup with crackers softened in soup approximately 1 can diet coke with fizz gone I am having a really hard time getting my liquids in! I detest anything except diet coke, maybe some tea every now and then.

I have been on Nexium for about 3 years for acid reflux. My doctor said usually the band clears up acid reflux (although sometimes it makes it worse..you never know). Wondering what people with acid reflux have experienced after the lap-band surgery. Was anyone able to get relief from acid reflux after getting banded? Did you stop your meds to see what would happen? Anyone get worse? Stay the same?